Robert J. Huckshorn

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Robert Huckshorn Obituary

BOCA RATON, FL – Robert J. Huckshorn, a member of Florida Atlantic University's founding faculty who over the course of 38 years made major contributions to the university's development, died on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, at the age of 90. In 1964, Dr. Huckshorn joined FAU's political science department as an associate professor, advancing two years later to the rank of full professor. His long career at FAU was to bring him many other titles, including chair of the department of political science, dean of the College of Social Science, associate vice president for academic affairs, assistant provost for the Davie and downtown Fort Lauderdale campuses, and vice president for the Jupiter and Treasure Coast campuses. Among Dr. Huckshorn's proudest accomplishments were leading the drive to establish FAU's nursing program, which is now the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, and spearheading the university's northward expansion by establishing the John D. MacArthur Campus at Jupiter. In Broward County, Dr. Huckshorn played a leadership role in establishing the Davie campus, which offers students the opportunity to obtain bachelor's degrees in many fields of study. Additionally, he helped develop the downtown Fort Lauderdale campus, home of FAU's distinguished School of Architecture.Upon Dr. Huckshorn's retirement in 2002, university supporters honored him by establishing an arboretum on the Jupiter campus. The Robert J. Huckshorn Arboretum features plants and ecosystems native to Florida. Dr. Huckshorn is survived by his wife of 68 years, Carolyn, of Boca Raton, FL; three daughters, Kevin Ann Huckshorn (Noel Mazade) of Chapel Hill, NC; Kristin Huckshorn (Dr. Martin Doerfler) of New York, NY; and Dana Wingate (John Wingate) of Asheville, NC; and two grandsons, Jack Larimer of New York, NY, and Cameron Robert Wingate of Asheville, NC. A memorial event will be held on FAU's Boca Raton campus in January. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in support of the Robert J. Huckshorn Arboretum. To donate online, go to https://fauf.fau.edu/arboretum. Checks may be mailed to the FAU Foundation, Inc., 777 Glades Road, ADM 295, Boca Raton, FL 33431. Checks should be made payable to the FAU Foundation, Inc., with "For the Robert J. Huckshorn Arboretum" written on the memo line.

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Published by Sun-Sentinel on Dec. 10, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Huckshorn

4 Entries

RRH

December 11, 2018

My kind thoughts are with the family at this sad time.May you find comfort in knowing that God keep in his memory those who have passed on because they are precious in his eyes...Psalms 116:15

Robert Burdick

December 11, 2018

I have good and fond memories of Dr. Huckshorn dating to many years ago. I was a student in the early days of Florida Atlantic, entering as a junior in 1967 and leaving with a B.A. in political science in 1969. In those days, we didnt have that many students (fewer than 4,000, as best I recall), but we were enthusiastic. This smaller size enabled us to get to know some faculty members better a great strength of a smaller enrollment.

Dr. Huckshorn was a fine teacher, a very good listener, a good mentor and an oft-bemused observer of the shenanigans of students of that era. He was a staunch Republican (back when it was considered a tad more respectable than some consider such today). This does not mean that he tried to convince his students to be Republicans; rather, he presented a spectrum of ideas through lectures and assigned readings, and he encouraged students to make up our own minds. What a novel (and welcome) approach.

He also had a good sense of humor, a characteristic always welcome on campus. I remember making the Deans List (an uncommon occurrence) once, then encountering Dr. Huckshorn in the hall of the old Admin Building. As he passed, he stopped and said something like: Bob, Dean DeGrove (Dr. John M. DeGrove) and I saw that you made the Deans List. We had a drink to that. If they delayed their next drink until my next appearance on the Deans List, they became very thirsty gents, indeed.

Good-bye, Dr. H. I wish we had more like you. And thanks for everything.

Bob Burdick
Class of 1969
Political Science

December 10, 2018

When I joined FAU in the summer of 1978 Bob Huckshorn was a well established leader on the academic side of the university. Bob was one of a kind, he was scholarly, very intelligent, a proven leader and a friend to all. He, also, was a very insightful mentor to many of the junior faculty and to those of us who were a bit more seasoned.

I was fortunate enough to work on several projects with Bob. His ability to analyze the situation and then recommend outcomes was outstanding. He was instrumental in moving FAU from a small upper division university to an institution of higher education that was second to none.

On a personal note, Bob was instrumental in many of my FAU career opportunities and decisions. While he would never tell you what was "right/wrong", he gave us significant information to allow us to come to important decision.

I've been lucky to have 2-3 individuals in my professional career that have had major influence on my life decisions, personal and professional. Bob was one of these very important people.

Family will miss Bob, friends will miss Bob, FAU will miss Bob, and I will most certainly miss Bob.

Jeff and Harriett Schilit

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